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Watch out for a round-up of what's happening with celebrities across the globe in our new weekly column, Celebrity Corner.

Smoking the peace pipe

The big fight between the pop princess and the screen goddess is finally over. And it took a six-year-old to solve it.

Jennifer Lopez and Madonna had been sharpening their claws ever since J. Lo started thinking aloud about her opinion of the Material Girl's acting ability. Madonna even stormed out of a party where the lovely Latina was present.

But at a memorial for late celebrity photographer Herb Ritts, Madonna's daughter Lourdes brought them together. After Lopez arrived with her beau Ben Affleck, she spotted Lourdes and went over for a chat.

According to someone who was there, "J. Lo spent most of the day telling Lourdes how gorgeous she was. Madonna then heaped praise on Lopez saying Lourdes never stops singing her song, `Jenny From The Block'."

Oscar fever in the air

It's that time of the year again when everyone gets talking about who's likely to take home the `naked golden man' and who'll miss out on a place in history. Going by a number of critics' lists, Jack Nicholson and Julianne Moore are strong contenders for the top honours for their sterling performances in two of the most talked-about films of the year - About Schmidt and Far from Heaven.

In About Schmidt, Nicholson plays Warren Schmidt, an about-to-retire insurance actuary who suddenly finds himself at many crossroads all at once. His wife dies after 42 years of marriage, his daughter's about to marry a mediocre salesman and with no job and no wife, he's desperately seeking some meaning in his thoroughly unimpressive life.

The Academy likes such movies and likes Nicholson even more, which strengthen his chances of taking home another Oscar.

Far from Heaven is set in the 1950s in which Julianne Moore plays a contented housewife whose life goes out of spiral when she discovers that her husband is homosexual. She finds consolation in the friendship of her African-American gardener, which leads to more complications.

Moore has been widely acclaimed for her power-packed performance in a movie that has the guts to show America as it was in the 50s without whitewashing the truth with jingoistic baloney.

In the best picture race, the biggest bets are on yet another Martin Scorsese New York flick, called Gangs of New York, and Chicago. Let's see which city gets lucky. Besides, the academy has decided to honour seven-time Oscar nominee Peter O'Toole with a lifetime achievement award.

Too old to play? No way!

You may be too old to rock `n' roll, but you're never too old to rock the court, as people like Andre Agassi and Martina Navratilova proved at the latest Australian Open. Agassi, bald and still beautiful, became a Grand Slam champion again at 32, while Navratilova, stunningly fit for someone who's 46, won her 57th major title with a little help from our own Leander Paes.

And they are not the only ones: Michael Jordan, just about 40, is averaging 18.2 points and 35 minutes a game as he continues to transform the Washington Wizards into a playoff contender. John Stockton, who will be 41 in March, is fourth in the NBA in assists and Lance Armstrong won his fourth Tour de France at 31.

Every era has had a few good older athletes, but never like now. The methods are good, the money's getting better and the motivation's greater. No wonder the golden oldies are giving the younger `uns a run for the moolah.

Your turn, Team Agassi

Andre Agassi held up his end of the bargain in the Australian Open. Now Steffi Graf and the rest of his entourage has to step up. Graf, who retired three years ago, had promised to join her husband in mixed doubles at the French Open if he won his fourth Australian Open title.

"She won't like it, but it's my responsibility to make it happen," Agassi said after winning at Melbourne Park. "If we do play we don't have much of a chance. I usually don't play against women and I could never aggressively hit at a woman. But I guarantee you, you would see a big smile on my face."

Worse is in store for coach Darren Cahill, who has to shave his head, and fitness trainer Gil Reyes, a non-drinker, who has to down one of Agassi's "special" margaritas.

ABC lands Jackson documentary

ABC has won a network bidding war to acquire the rights to a documentary on Michael Jackson called `Living with Michael Jackson', which features "unprecedented and exclusive access to Jackson's private life", according to the network, which reportedly paid $4-5 million.

British journalist Martin Bashir spent eight months with Jackson and was with him when Wacko Jacko horrified onlookers by dangling his baby from a hotel balcony in Berlin.

There has been renewed public interest in the reclusive pop star, who was also involved in a trial over a series of scheduled shows which he did not perform.

CBS, NBC, and Fox were also reportedly interested in the documentary, which was produced by Britain's Granada Television, but the bidding battle came down to ABC and NBC.

Response may be sent to life@thehindu.co.in

Compiled by C. Ramesh

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